Articles by: Contributing Author

A New Era of Water Management for Orlando Utilities Commission

A New Era of Water Management for Orlando Utilities Commission

AMR/AMI, Water Management August 18, 2025 at 10:35 am

By Brad Lowe For more than 100 years, Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) has provided essential and reliable electric and water services to the Orlando area. As the second-largest municipal utility in the state, OUC maintains more than 283,000 electric meters and more than 166,000 waterRead More

Commentary: Proposed Cut of Army Corps Finance Program Likely Based on Misinformation

Commentary: Proposed Cut of Army Corps Finance Program Likely Based on Misinformation

By John Ryan The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Corps Water Infrastructure Finance Program (CWIFP) is an original part of the successful 2014 WIFIA loan program statutory framework. CWIFP’s implementation has been much delayed (more on that later), but the program was finally able toRead More

Air Valves: Critical Components in Modern Water Infrastructure

Air Valves: Critical Components in Modern Water Infrastructure

Water Management July 21, 2025 at 9:15 am

By Mark Gimson Understanding the Air Challenge in Water Systems Air in pipelines presents significant challenges for water infrastructure. As an invisible and compressible fluid, air can disrupt water distribution in multiple ways. It forms pockets that impede flow, reduces pipeline capacity, and may createRead More

Instant Quality Control: Michigan City Transforms Wastewater Treatment Operations

Instant Quality Control: Michigan City Transforms Wastewater Treatment Operations

Water Management July 14, 2025 at 11:15 am

By Erik Larsen The City of Howell is the largest city in Livingston County, Michigan, with approximately 10,000 residents, and has significantly improved operations at its Class B wastewater treatment facility. The plant processes about 2 million gallons daily and recently implemented a biological nutrientRead More

How Regular ‘Cyber Hygiene’ Protects Critical OT, IT from Risks

How Regular ‘Cyber Hygiene’ Protects Critical OT, IT from Risks

Water Management June 30, 2025 at 9:25 am

By Steven Taylor Information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems are intertwined, yet they often work in silos. A recent survey of cybersecurity professionals in critical infrastructure sectors revealed IT compromises as the top attack method (45%) into OT and industrial systems in 2024.Read More

PCCP Inspection: Tarrant Regional Water District Applies Prioritization Method

PCCP Inspection: Tarrant Regional Water District Applies Prioritization Method

By Anna Gagliardo & Kevin Weeks The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) manages one of North America’s most extensive Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) networks, spanning 260 miles and supplying over two million residents across 11 counties with pipe mains ranging from 72 in. toRead More

Commentary: Ductile Iron Provides Owners with Safety, Longevity

Commentary: Ductile Iron Provides Owners with Safety, Longevity

Commentary, Pipe Selection June 10, 2025 at 6:45 am

By David Cole The challenges those of us in the drinking water sector face in 2025 are many of the same issues that have faced utility engineers and operators for years now; namely how best to deliver clean, safe drinking water using the highest qualityRead More

Seamless Water Monitoring Ahead: Alcester Adopts Cellular AMI

Seamless Water Monitoring Ahead: Alcester Adopts Cellular AMI

AMR/AMI, Water Management June 5, 2025 at 2:45 pm

Settled on the rolling prairies near the Big Sioux River in southeast South Dakota, Alcester is a rural community currently home to about 850 people. The city utility department staff is reflective of the community size and scope — with many employees serving multiple roles.Read More

Bid Docs and Product Specs

Bid Docs and Product Specs

Condition Assessment, Rehab & Replacement May 28, 2025 at 9:15 am

Riverside Rehab Demonstrates Why They Are Critical Project Components By Paul Gagliardo In public works construction, bid documents are critical as they define the project scope, requirements, evaluation criteria and products to be used. Creating accurate and complete bid documents and product specifications allows theRead More

Rate Setting in Unsettled Times

Rate Setting in Unsettled Times

Rates & Affordability, Water Finance May 19, 2025 at 10:15 am

Best Practices for Project Funding By Erik Johnson & Brandon Vatter Water and wastewater utilities are tasked with balancing multiple goals and objectives that require significant funding and at times can conflict with each other. Additionally, securing financial support, both at the local and federalRead More